Sustainable Photoelectrochemistry Lab

Our mission is to pioneer sustainable energy solutions through advanced photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical, and electrochemical technologies for water splitting and CO2 reduction. We aim to optimize these processes to produce clean fuels and chemicals while mitigating carbon emissions. By developing innovative materials and employing advanced techniques like ultrafast time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we enhance the efficiency of photocatalysts and photoelectrodes. Our vision is to lead the transition to a sustainable energy future by converting CO2 into valuable products. We are advancing environmental stewardship and achieving global carbon neutrality through renewable energy technologies. Photocatalysis provides a promising approach to convert sunlight into chemical energy, addressing critical challenges in energy sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction. Our research focuses on advancing catalytic systems for CO2 photoreduction to produce valuable fuels, including carbon monoxide, methanol, methane, and acetic acid, while developing innovative solutions to mitigate carbon emissions. We combine experimental and computational techniques to enhance our understanding of photocatalytic processes, emphasizing material characteristics and reaction mechanisms. To achieve this, we employ state-of-the-art characterization techniques, including quasi-in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS), time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. These tools enable us to probe the dynamic behavior of photo-induced charge carriers, elucidate interactions between intermediates and catalyst surfaces, and reveal th